How Much Chocolate is Bad for Dogs?

The way you’ve asked this question, it seems like you’ve just tasted one of the finest chocolates out there and want to share the happiness with your canine buddy. As adorable as that thought might be, it is not a good idea at all. The question should’ve actually been, ‘Can dogs eat chocolates?’ And the answer would be a strict ‘NO. 

Chocolate and dogs are like a toddler with a permanent marker or a cat with an unguarded glass of water – a match made in disaster. The only difference here is that a permanent marker may not kill the toddler. Chocolates hold the power to kill your dog. 

Yes, we know it’s not the ideal scenario. In our world, we’ve seen chocolates bring a fighting couple back together, bring a beautiful smile to a child’s face, and create dozens of beautiful memories in a person’s life. Unfortunately, a dog’s digestive system does not work the same way ours does. While a small piece of chocolate won’t kill your dog, it can definitely create a lot of trouble in their stomachs and create a need for you to rush to the vet. 

Why is Chocolate Toxic to Dogs?

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Theobromine is a similar stimulant to caffeine and is found in all types of chocolates, including milk, dark and white. It has a very mild effect on the human brain, but for dogs, it can cause some serious trouble. It can increase their heart rate and cause restlessness, muscle tremors, and even seizures. ⁽¹⁾

This is because dogs do not digest it as quickly and easily as humans. Hence, it can build up in their system and stay for a much longer time and cause trouble. If it is ingested in heavy quantities, it can even lead to heart failure and, thus, death.  

Caffeine also behaves like theobromine in a dog’s brain. It can cause hyperactivity, increased heart rate and restlessness in dogs. 

Lethal Doses of Chocolate for Dogs

Now, here’s a funny thing. For us humans, they say that the darker the chocolate, the better it is on the health scale. But when it comes to dogs, it is the exact opposite. The darker the chocolate, the higher the levels of theobromine and caffeine, making it more toxic to dogs. This doesn’t mean that it is okay to feed milk or white chocolate to dogs. They are yet harmful to dogs, and don’t forget all the sugar that goes into them. ⁽¹⁾

Now the question is, what is the amount of chocolate that if your dog ate, you should start freaking out. The answer to it would be that it depends on the size of the dog. The smaller the dog, the lesser the tolerance level and vice versa.

Here’s a number for you to put it into perspective. It is generally believed that a combined dose of less than 15.01 mg/kg (7.5 mg/lb.) of theobromine and caffeine shouldn't harm your dog. This translates to one piece of dark-sweet chocolate for a 3 kg (6 lb.) dog and 7 pieces of dark-sweet chocolate for a 15 kg (33 lb.) dog. ⁽²⁾

The chocolate pieces lying on your kitchen platform or your bed may not be the only source of your dog intake. There can be some hidden sources of chocolate in our homes like chocolate syrups, prepared cake mixes, toppings, chocolate liquor, etc. Another very common but surprising threat can be cocoa mulch as it contains cocoa bean shells and chemicals that can make dogs sick, like eating too much chocolate.  

You need to keep your dog away from all the above possible items that contain any traces of cocoa. 

Symptoms of Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

If you are not sure how much chocolate your dog accidentally consumed while you were busy preparing for a meeting that could’ve been a mail, here are some signs of chocolate toxicity you need to look out for – ⁽¹⁾

The above symptoms generally appear in cases of mild toxicity. In case of severe toxicity, you would see symptoms like –

Diagnosing and Treating Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

Currently, there are no readily available diagnostic tests for chocolate intoxication in dogs. The treatment would depend on the level of severity. The vet would first try to induce vomiting to remove the chocolate from the system in case your dog consumed it less than two hours ago. 

They would then use doses of activated charcoal to move the toxins out of the dog’s body without being absorbed into the bloodstream. 

In severe cases, the treatment is usually aimed at decreasing cardiovascular and CNS effects via the administration of antiarrhythmics and sedatives.

The Cost of Chocolate Toxicity

The cost of treating chocolate toxicity in your dog may again depend on the severity of the case. The costs would be higher if there is a need for hospitalisation and intravenous fluids. The overall treatment cost can range from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars here but don’t worry we have a solution that can stop a massive hole being dug in your savings at such times. ⁽³⁾

Protecting Your Dog with Pet Insurance

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. 

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!

Conclusion

Chocolates can not only cause gastrointestinal issues in dogs but can also be severely toxic to dogs and cause death in severe cases. As a loving and responsible dog owner, you must keep all types of chocolates and all other products containing cocoa away from your dog. 

If your dog accidentally consumes a small piece of it, do not panic. A small bite won’t kill them. Look out for the signs that we’ve mentioned above. If you see any, consult your vet immediately. And to avoid the shock of a big bill, get your pet insurance today!